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  • 10 Best School Shoes UK 2024 | Kickers, Clarks and More 1
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10 Best School Shoes UK 2024 | Kickers, Clarks and More

Whether it's the Easter holidays or September is looming, there's never a wrong time to shop for school shoes. However, this can be a challenge thanks to all the boxes they need to tick! They need to be comfy enough to wear for a full day, and they also need to look good so your kids can compete in the style stakes of the playground whilst being durable enough to survive the fun and games of playtime. 


With schools often having strict rules of what shoes are and aren't allowed, this can limit your options. We've selected a few choices from popular brands like Kickers, Lelli Kelly and Clarks so you can pick out the best black footwear for your youngster that will satisfy all these requirements, whether they're a boy or a girl, a toddler or a teenager. 

Last updated 28/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose School Shoes in the UK - Buying Guide

Marrying comfort, style and practicality in one shoe can be tricky, but we've come up with a few things to look out for so you find a shoe that combines all of these seamlessly. You'll know the right direction to steer your child in when they are selecting next years slip-ons or lace-ups. 

1

Shoes Can Be Designed for Girls, Boys or Both

Shoes Can Be Designed for Girls, Boys or Both

The first thing to consider when buying school shoes is who you are buying them for; shoes for girls often look quite different to those for boys. Shoes designed with girls in mind look and feel lighter than those made for boys and are sometimes narrower due to the fact that boys have wider feet. 


This being said, some shoes do manage to bridge the gap and be unisex so anyone can wear them. Unisex shoes work well when they are easily adjustable to accommodate the different shape of girls and boys feet. 

2

Consider the Different Ways to Fasten Shoes Based on Style and Age

Shoes, particularly shoes for kids, use a variety of fastening methods to keep their footwear on energetic children's feet. Each has to look appropriate on a style of shoe, but it also has to suit the age for which the shoe has been designed. 

Velcro Is A Good Option for Little Ones

Velcro Is A Good Option for Little Ones

Velcro is the go-to fastener for school shoes, and with good reason. It is easy for all ages to use and holds strongly in place for however long it needs to. This material also makes adjusting the width of the shoes simple as you can tailor it completely to your child's feet.  


Older children might be less enthusiastic to have this more practical – and perhaps less stylish – fastening solution, but it will certainly make your life easier if your kids aren't able to tie laces yet. 

Laces Are a More Grown-Up Choice

Laces Are a More Grown-Up Choice

Using laces as a shoe fastener is both traditional and stylish. They look good on shoes for girls and boys, and, as with Velcro, it is easy to adjust the width to provide a snug fit. 


Laces, however, are much harder for little fingers to contend with. They also take much longer to put on and take off than other options, which again makes them less suitable for younger school children. 

Slip-Ons Are Stylish But Less Secure

Slip-Ons Are Stylish But Less Secure

Although slip-on shoes are probably the easiest to put on and take off as they require either no or very little fastening, they are not as suitable for toddlers and young kids as Velcro. This is because they are likely to fall off their little feet and they won't yet have the understanding or foot shape to keep them on.


Slip-ons are, however, a popular choice with slightly older children. They are stylish and often more dainty than their more heavily-fastened counterparts. The lack of fastenings also makes them very speedy to put on and take off, and just because your kids might be a bit older it doesn't mean you're not looking for efficiency. 

3

Most School Shoes Have a Leather Finish, Though Faux Leather Is More Affordable

Most School Shoes Have a Leather Finish, Though Faux Leather Is More Affordable

A leather-look shoe is the classic choice for school shoes and they are often required by school uniform rules. It is generally considered to look smarter than other options like canvas. If you or your child prefer a shinier finish, patent leather is an option too. 


Lots of brands will use real leather to make their shoes, which is often preferable as it will be long-lasting and more weatherproof, though usually a more expensive initial cost. 


If you would rather that your children didn't wear real leather, there are also plenty of faux-leather shoes out there, normally for a cheaper price should you be on a budget. 

4

Find the Right Size

Children's feet come in all different shapes and sizes, so it is important that you choose a shoe which caters for a range. This means taking not only length into consideration but also width, as this can vary too. It is crucial that school shoes fit well so they don't cause any discomfort of trouble down the line. 

Avoid Stubbed Toes With the Right Length

Avoid Stubbed Toes With the Right Length

When your shoes are uncomfortable, it hurts and can affect your whole day and mood. This is especially true of children, and their school shoes, which they rely on so much to keep them moving throughout the day.


Make sure they don't end up with squashed feet in shoes that are too short – or resemble clowns in shoes that are too long – by buying the correct length


School shoes come in infant sizes and adult sizes. The biggest infant size is 13, so once a child's feet are bigger than this, they move up into adult sizes, with the next size up being a 1.

School Shoes Take Width into Account

School Shoes Take Width into Account

Unlike most shoes for adults and children, school shoe ranges sometimes offer different widths as well as lengths. This is not true across the board, but if your child does have feet on the wider or narrower side, it is definitely worth looking out for. 


Shoes that have different widths options tend to come in either an E, a G or an H, with an E being the narrowest and H being the widest

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The Best School Shoes in the UK

Once you have thought about which shoes would work best for your child – considering gender, age size and style – it's time to look for next term's footwear. Here a some pairs of shoes designed with different children in mind so you can find one that they'll be excited to wear in September. 
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Skechers

Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes

Skechers Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes 1

£34.19

Mid

Pretty Shoes Can Still Be Practical

2

Absolute Footwear

Boys Lace Up Smart Formal Faux Leather Brogues

Absolute Footwear Boys Lace Up Smart Formal Faux Leather Brogues 1

£18.99

Low Mid

Padded Insoles for Superior Comfort and Stability

3

Geox

Girl's J Casey C School Uniform Shoe

Geox Girl's J Casey C School Uniform Shoe 1

£55.00

High Mid

Comfortable and Stylish, Perfect for All Seasons

4

Geox

J Riddock Riptape Shoes

Geox J Riddock Riptape Shoes 1

£45.00

Mid

A Breathable Boys Shoe to Prevent Odours

5

Start-rite

Children's Leather Brogue Shoes

Start-rite Children's Leather Brogue Shoes 1

£49.99

High Mid

A Timeless Style of School Shoe

6

Tu

Black Cupsole School Shoes

Tu Black Cupsole School Shoes 1

£16.00

Low

Non-Leather School Shoes That Won't Break the Bank

7

Kickers

Unisex Kids’ Kick Lo Shoes

Kickers Unisex Kids’ Kick Lo Shoes 1

£43.55

Mid

These Shoes Are as Tough as Old Boots

8

Lelli Kelly

Classic Mary Jane Riptape School Shoes

Lelli Kelly Classic Mary Jane Riptape School Shoes 1

£44.90

Mid

Cute Shoes for Small Feet

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

SkechersGirls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes

Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Girls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£34.19
Mid
Reference price
£34.19
Mid

Pretty Shoes Can Still Be Practical

These shoes are perfect for girls who want their school shoes to be a bit more fun than just plain black whilst still satisfying parents who want to make sure their child's shoes will function day-to-day.


They are easy to close with a single strap that crosses over, meaning they manage to be secure without looking too heavy. They also have a subtle floral design in the leather fabric, which softens the all-black colour. Stylish, sleek and comfortable – these shoes have it all! 

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No.2

Absolute FootwearBoys Lace Up Smart Formal Faux Leather Brogues

Boys Lace Up Smart Formal Faux Leather Brogues 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£18.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£18.99
Low Mid

Padded Insoles for Superior Comfort and Stability

This faux leather pair of lace-up brogues are a great investment for your child if they are looking to have a smart and durable pair to take with them through the years. 


With a plethora of sizes and a sensible look, these shoes will age well with your child. Starting them on laces from an early age means that they will be able to choose different types of casual shoes from an earlier age, too!

No.3

GeoxGirl's J Casey C School Uniform Shoe

Girl's J Casey C School Uniform Shoe 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£55.00
High Mid
Reference price
£55.00
High Mid

Comfortable and Stylish, Perfect for All Seasons

With the patented Geox breathing craftsmanship, this style of shoe is hardy and versatile. If your child walks a long way to school or needs a reliable pair to last a considerably long time, we highly recommend these.


Additionally, if your child ends up liking how these fit and provide comfort whilst wearing them, you can move up from size 1 to 13 as the years go by - though we do not think you'll need to purchase them 13 times!

No.4

GeoxJ Riddock Riptape Shoes

J Riddock Riptape Shoes 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
J Riddock Riptape Shoes 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
J Riddock Riptape Shoes 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
J Riddock Riptape Shoes 4
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£45.00
Mid
Reference price
£45.00
Mid

A Breathable Boys Shoe to Prevent Odours

Running around the playground and after school can lead to children getting pretty sweaty. It is for this reason that the breathability of school shoes is so important. With Geox, this breathability comes as standard, so your child's school shoes won't start smelling after the first day of wear. 


With its huge range of sizing and easy-to-use Velcro strap, this shoe will works for older and younger kids alike, and is our top choice for boys.

No.5

Start-riteChildren's Leather Brogue Shoes

Children's Leather Brogue Shoes 1
Source:ebay.co.uk
Children's Leather Brogue Shoes 2
Source:ebay.co.uk
Reference price
£49.99
High Mid

A Timeless Style of School Shoe

Brogues are one of those shoe styles which never goes out of fashion, making them great school shoes. They look smart and grown-up but will still appeal to the kids. The cushioned insoles inside this pair will make your child feel like they are bouncing along the school corridors. 


With its huge range of sizes, including 3 different widths, you shouldn't have any trouble trying to find the right fit. They even go up to a size 9, although this is only in one width. 

No.6

TuBlack Cupsole School Shoes

Black Cupsole School Shoes 1
Source:argos.co.uk
Black Cupsole School Shoes 2
Source:argos.co.uk
Reference price
£16.00
Low
Reference price
£16.00
Low

Non-Leather School Shoes That Won't Break the Bank

School shoes can often end up being a big outlay at the start of each new year, only made worse by the fact that children's feet don't stop growing so you are having to replace them what feels like constantly. So if you are looking for a cheap solution, look no further than this pair


Offering good quality at an affordable price, these shoes come with 3 straps to help you fasten them as tightly as needed. They also have an antibacterial sock inside, too. Not being made of leather will make them less durable, but they make a great option if this is a material you avoid. 

No.7

KickersUnisex Kids’ Kick Lo Shoes

Reference price
£43.55
Mid

These Shoes Are as Tough as Old Boots

These shoes are made to last the school year and beyond, no matter what your challenges your child might throw at them. They are made of tough real leather, but have a padded collar to ensure maximum comfort and stability as well as durability. There unisex nature means they can be passed down from brothers to sisters and vice-versa. 


These shoes have a large range and are available in patent and regular finish, but the smaller sizes might not be as appropriate as younger wearers of these shoes might struggle with the laces. They also only come in one width. 

No.8

Lelli KellyClassic Mary Jane Riptape School Shoes

Classic Mary Jane Riptape School Shoes 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Classic Mary Jane Riptape School Shoes 2
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£44.90
Mid
Reference price
£44.90
Mid

Cute Shoes for Small Feet

These pumps with a singular velcro strap work brilliantly for younger children. They come in a wide range of sizes at the small end of the spectrum and their sweet but simple design will appeal to both children and parents alike. 

 

Unlike other shoes for smaller feet, these only come in one width, so if your child has particularly narrow or wide feet, they may struggle to fit. They also have the brand name across the strap, which might not be appropriate for all schools. 

More Back to School Essentials

More Back to School Essentials

Whether it's your first time sending your youngster off to big school or you've been through the whole September shebang a few times before, you'll know there's an almost endless list of things to buy before their first day back. Here are a few more ideas to make the decision making a little easier! 

Summary

This article has hopefully shown that it is possible to find school shoes that are practical and stylish, no matter how old your child is. School shoes are probably the shoe they'll will wear more than any other during the average week, so they are important to get right. Using this guide, you'll know exactly how to do this to keep you, the school, and – most of all – the kids happy. 


Author: Emma Cramp

Top 5 School Shoes

No. 1: SkechersGirls Breathe-Easy Mary Janes

No. 2: Absolute FootwearBoys Lace Up Smart Formal Faux Leather Brogues

No. 3: GeoxGirl's J Casey C School Uniform Shoe

No. 4: GeoxJ Riddock Riptape Shoes

No. 5: Start-riteChildren's Leather Brogue Shoes

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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